Storms and difficulties of all kinds and sizes come our way. From simple gray spells or times of discouragement, to life’s big storms and even pandemics. And they can really start to get us down. A lot of life’s problems are extremely serious, like this COVID-19 that is currently afflicting the world. And it can be really difficult to not worry.
Many plans and dreams have gone by the wayside during these days of pandemic emergency. My good friend, Dayle over at Tip of My Iceburg, shared how the porch they’d planned, saved, and dreamed for finally came true. Except the porch built to hold lots of family and friends now sits empty, but for the two of them.
“Ooooh, she brought it out just so we could see it!” my little grandson cried, before promptly burst into tears. And at first I thought, “Oh how sweet!” But I think he was right!
How can we handle the unwanted things that we would never have wanted in our lives? Those crushing and heartbreaking events which threaten to drain our life’s blood away? Things like difficult people who continue to treat us badly, and negative happenings like abandonment, separation, divorce, and division. Or becoming the victim of malicious gossip and slander .
Life is full of difficult times and hard circumstances, isn’t it? Things which send us reeling, feeling that life has entered an out-of-control tailspin. Our family is facing one now. Perhaps the hardest we’ve ever faced.
The apostle Paul often found himself sitting in a prison cell. The city in an uproar over this man who stirred things up wherever he went. I would have asked, “Why Lord? I was only obeying you and preaching your message. So please get me out of this fix! I’ve done nothing to deserve jail!”
Scientists tell us that even hurricanes bring some benefit. Though violent, these storms purify the ocean by breaking up bacteria and bringing fresh oxygen. They also carry much-needed rain and replenish inland plant life and barrier islands.ยน
Struggling to live on next-to-nothing, our year in the village where we lived was tough. Especially because of the people’s closed and suspicious attitudes toward us. Not that we escaped unnoticed, though! The drug addicts we helped visited often, which is only right. The needy should be able to turn to us.
Wiping her brow and fixing her scarf to better shield her fair skin, Tamar wondered. “Why can’t I look like other girls, and be like them?” Then quickly bit her tongue for even thinking such a thing.
